failure by

USAGE SUMMARY

"failure by" is an acceptable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to indicate the cause of failure or blame for a certain action. For example: The company's failure by bad management contributed to its downfall.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Failure, by Philip Schultz (Harcourt; $23).

The New Yorker

That's a failure by the directors.

The Guardian - Opinion

Failure by Israel to deliver could bring new desperation.

The Guardian

A failure by Cristiano Ronaldo had been cancelled out.

The Guardian - Sport

Failure by the Knicks would probably send them tumbling to another defeat.

The New York Times - Sports

It only makes him a failure by the criteria this exhibition insists on applying.

The Guardian - Arts

And, more fundamentally, it's a political failure by the top leaders themselves.

The New York Times

She said the case was part of a pattern of failure by the agency.

The New York Times

We've already rewarded failure by bailing out the banking sector, because the alternative was worse.

The New York Times

A serious case review has been launched into the failure by authorities to protect the girls.

The Guardian

No president should be able to reverse legislative failure by executive fiat, not even incrementally..

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "failure by", ensure the subject responsible for the failure is clearly identified to avoid ambiguity. For example, specify "failure by the team" instead of just "failure".

Common error

Avoid using "failure by" without specifying the area or aspect of failure. For instance, instead of saying "the project's failure", clarify with "the project's failure to meet deadlines".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "failure by" functions as a prepositional phrase, often used to attribute responsibility or causation. Ludwig provides examples demonstrating its role in linking a failure to a specific agent or cause. This is supported by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Science

22%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "failure by" is a common prepositional phrase used to attribute responsibility or causation for a failure. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage across various contexts, including news, science, and business. While the phrase is versatile, it's essential to clearly identify the agent responsible for the failure to avoid ambiguity. By understanding its function and usage patterns, writers can effectively convey accountability and provide clear explanations for negative outcomes. The related phrases offer alternative ways to express similar ideas, allowing for nuance and precision in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

due to failure

A common and direct way to express that the failure is the cause of something.

because of failure

A straightforward way to state that the failure is the reason for a particular outcome.

as a result of failure

Emphasizes the consequence of the failure, highlighting the outcome.

caused by failure

Reverses the order to emphasize causation, focusing on the failure as the source of the problem.

failure leading to

Highlights the progression from failure to its consequences, focusing on the sequence of events.

resulting from failure

Focuses on the failure as the direct cause of a specific consequence.

attributable to failure

Indicates that the failure is the reason for a specific result, often in a formal or technical context.

owing to failure

A more formal alternative to "due to failure", indicating the reason for something.

stemming from failure

Suggests that the failure is the origin or root cause of subsequent issues.

failure being the reason

Emphasizes the failure as the primary explanation or justification for something.

FAQs

How can I use "failure by" in a sentence?

You can use "failure by" to attribute responsibility for a negative outcome. For example, "The company's losses were due to "failure by" the marketing department to adapt to changing trends."

What are some alternatives to "failure by"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "caused by failure", "due to failure", or "resulting from failure".

Is it always necessary to specify who or what caused the "failure by"?

Specifying the responsible party after ""failure by"" is important for clarity and accountability. Leaving it unspecified can lead to ambiguity and misinterpretation.

What's the difference between ""failure by"" and "failure of"?

"Failure by" typically implies responsibility or agency, while "failure of" refers more generally to the non-performance or malfunction of something. For example, ""failure by" the government" suggests the government is responsible, while "failure of the system" indicates the system did not work.